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Win2K peer to peer vs. Server based.

I need to find out what is the advantage of running a server based network vs a peer to peer network for a small less than 10 user network.

To me if I run a dedicated Win2k Professional machine for file and printer sharing, then it costs a lot less money than a server. Is there any document or white paper available describing the advantage of server over peer to peer network?

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Hi

You might find one at microsoft, but the rule of thumb is 5, under 5 youcan use a peer-2-peer, over 5 server based. The problems start ciming in with ad ministration, if you want one user to be to log into 5 server, then he has to be created on five servers, if you change his password you have to change it on all 5. You can see if you have 5 users its starting to be a headache, 10, a big one. There's also the question of centralized printing vs decentralised, if your printer is defined on a central server, you know, your never going to shut it down, and if all the files are centralized, they will always be available, you dont; have to worry about people shutting down machines for the week-end, now imagine if you go from 10 users to 20, now the fun starts. Hope it helps.

Client Server vs. Peer to Peer

It really depends on what resources you share over the 10 user small network.another thing is security issues.

In you case as I read that you are only sharing a print server or utolizing a print server for a fact is not a wise decision to install a Server OS.

A windows 2k pro is suffecient enough to share the print resources of the entire peer to peer network.

If you are looking for an answer that points out the difference between Peer to Peer computing and Client Server computing. The major difference is the Administration characteristic and autority level. IN a peer 2 peer environment. all node are administrator of their own LSD in win2kPRo. Each of the 10 node use account and password has to be created to all of the node to obtain access to resource that each offer. I Client Server environment it is only the server or the domain controller for a fact that handles all the authentication. e.g. logons, permissions to resources and files., and other services that a Sever OS might offer. You only create the user accounts in the server once and logons are authenticated by a central computer. I beleive this is not new to you. Probably oyu are just confused.

I hope you look closely at the need of your small network before you decide to upgrade or switch computing environment.

Client Server vs. Peer to Peer

It really depends on what resources you share over the 10 user small network.another thing is security issues.

In you case as I read that you are only sharing a print server or utolizing a print server for a fact is not a wise decision to install a Server OS.

A windows 2k pro is suffecient enough to share the print resources of the entire peer to peer network.

If you are looking for an answer that points out the difference between Peer to Peer computing and Client Server computing. The major difference is the Administration characteristic and autority level. IN a peer 2 peer environment. all node are administrator of their own LSD in win2kPRo. Each of the 10 node use account and password has to be created to all of the node to obtain access to resource that each offer. I Client Server environment it is only the server or the domain controller for a fact that handles all the authentication. e.g. logons, permissions to resources and files., and other services that a Sever OS might offer. You only create the user accounts in the server once and logons are authenticated by a central computer. I beleive this is not new to you. Probably oyu are just confused.

I hope you look closely at the need of your small network before you decide to upgrade or switch computing environment.

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